Stenciling apparatus



April 5, 1938. T. H. SLOAN 2,113,413

' STENCILING APPARATUS Filed July 10, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. THJ'Zoan,

xler A TTOR YS.

April 5, 1938.

STENCILING APPARATUS Filed July 10, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 9 J6 laINVNTOR. TH Sloan,

BY M? A TTOR YS.

T. H. SLOAN 2,113,413

Ap 5, 1938. T. H. sLbAN STENCILING APPARATUS Filed July 10, 1936 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. THISZoan, BY 7 litil Arm? EYS.

T. H. SLOAN STENCILING APPARATUS April 5, 1938.

Filed July 10, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. TH Jloqn,

A TTORN S.

I gn w-5.2% an Patented Apr. 5, 1938 PATENT OFFICE smcmme msas'rusTheodore H. Sloan, Charleroi, Pa., assignor to Simplex Engineering 0 ofDelaware ompany. Iv corporation Application July 10, me. Serial No.89.012

13 Claims. (01. 101-124) The stenciling apparatus comprising the presentinvention is primarily adapted for use in applying a vitreous enamelcomposition or paint to articles of glassware such as bottles, jars andthe like and to other articles of a vitreous or ceramic nature in thelettering or decorating thereof by a stenciling process.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter set forth above which, by virtue of an improved means forsupporting various articles in a multitude of positions against astencil screen to receive the decoration therefrom, is particularly welladapted for universal use in decorating the frusto-conical surfaces,such as the tapered or shoulder portions of bottles and othercontainers, etc., even though these portions be of extreme obtuseconfiguration.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stenciling apparatushaving a movable swinging stencil screen, designed for engagement withthe articles during the stenciling operation, which may be adjusted toswing in an arc of any desired radius of curvature to accommodatebottles or other articles having different diameters and consequentlydifferent degrees of peripheral curvature.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a movable stencilscreen assembly designed for tractional engagement with a substantiallyfrusto-conical surface of a bottle or like article in the decorationthereof, which is so constructed that freedom of movement of the screenassembly is obtained without interference from the projecting neckportion of the bottle.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying four sheets of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a stenciling apparatus manufacturedin accordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in the precedingfigures;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an adjustable bottle neck supportingassembly forming a part of the present invention;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of an adjustable bracket forming a part ofthe present invention:

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a modified form of stencil screen unitdesigned for use in applying designs of an elongated form to thearticles to be decorated, and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-9 ofFig. 4.

The apparatus involves in its general organization a platform or tablell having supporting legs i I. A pair of standards I 2, bolted orotherwise secured to the table ll, extend upwardly from the rear'corners thereof and support therebetween a transversely extendinghorizontal rock-shaft I8 which is journalled at its ends in cup-likebearings ll on the upper ends of the standards l2.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the rock-shaft l3 extends across the rear edgeof the table III, is

- substantially coextensive therewith, and rockably supports theinner orrear end of an adjustablecenter stencil screen assembly [5 which is bestillustrated in Fig. 4.

A forwardly extending adjustable-center squeegee assembly ii issimilarly supported upon the rock-shaft [3. The assemblies l6 and I8overlie the table "I.

An adjustable article supporting chuck assembly n is secured to theforward edge of the table it and occupies a position beneath the stencilscreen, and squeegee assemblies Ii and I8, and above the level of thetable ll.

The stencil screen assembly it consists of a yoke i8 (FlgsB and 4)having rearwardly diverging arms I! terminating in a pair of axiallyaligned sleeves 2|], integrally formed thereon, throughwhich therock-shaft I 3 extends. The yoke I8 is centered upon the rock-shaft l3by means of collars 2i mounted upon the rock-shaft l3 outside of thesleeves 20. The yoke I 8 is provided with a forwardly extendingsupporting arm 22 having a hub 23 formed on the outer forward endthereof and through which extends a longitudinal slot 24 shown in detailin Fig. 9. A depending pivot pin 25 having a square reduced portion 26extending through the slot 24 is adjustably supported by the hub 23. Anadjusting screw 21 projects through the hub 23, with which it makesthreaded engagement, and into the slot 24. This screw extends into andis anchored in the square portion 26 of the pin 25 and facilitatesshifting of the pin longitudinally of the machine within the limits ofthe slot 24.

An inverted L-shaped carrier arm 28, provided 'with a horizontal portion29 having a hub 30 formed thereon, and a vertical portion 2| having afoot 32 at its lower end, is pivoted on the hub 23 for oscillation aboutthe axis of the adjustable pivot pin 25, which connects the twoelements.

A T-shaped support consisting of a transverse bar 33, riveted orotherwise secured medially of its ends to one end of a longitudinal bar34, is adjustably secured to the foot 32 by means of cap screws 35,which extend through the foot and are threaded into a series of spacedthreaded apertures 36 in the bar 34. Thus, the support 33, 34, isadjustably mounted on the foot 32 and may be shifted forwardly orrearwardly as desired.

The transverse bar 33 (Fig. 3) is provided with a series oflongitudinally spaced threaded apertures 31 which extend along one edgethereof.

A second series of similarly spaced, threaded apertures 38 extend alongthe opposite edge of the bar 33 and are preferably formed at pointstransversely opposed on the bar to the apertures 31 for a purposesubsequently to be described.

A pair of forwardly extending stencil screen supporting arms 39 (Figs. 3and '1) preferably formed of wood, are adjustably secured to the bar 33on opposite sides of the center thereof by means of relatively thickmetal brackets .40, one of which is shown in detail perspective in Fig.'1. The brackets 40 are complementary in form and accordingly adescription of onewill suffice for both.

The bracket 40 is provided with a slot 4| on the underneath side thereofand in which one end of the arm 39 is received and permanently securedby means of cap screws 42. Extendin completely through the bracket 40 isan arcuate slot 43 of small radius of curvature, the center of whichoccupies a position within the confines of the bracket. The bracket isadjustably secured at this center to the bar 33 by means of a cap screw44 which is selectively received on one of the series of apertures 31. Aclamping screw 45 extends through the arcuate slot 43 for selectivereception in one of the series of apertures 38. Thus by loosening theclamping screw 45, the bracket 46 may be adjusted angularly on the bar33 in any one of a number of positions therealong, as clearly shown bythe dotted line positions of the bars 33 and brackets 40 in Fig. 3.

The stencil screen supporting arms 39 extend forwardly from the bar 33in parallel relationship with respect to each other and supporttherebetween a stencil screen holder in the form of a rectangular frame46, the opposite ends of which are secured to the arms 33 by means ofattachment plates 41. The: frame 46 is provided with a sector-shapedopening 46 in the central region thereof and a silk screen or otherconventional screen S having impervious and pervious portions, thelatter representing the design to be stenciled on the articles, isstretched across the bottom of the opening 43 and is secured to theunderneath side of the frame 46.

The inner ends of the slots 43 (Figs. 3 and '1) provided in the brackets46 terminate at points transversely opposed on the brackets to thecenters of curvature of the slots. Inasmuch as the apertures 31 and 33are transversely opposed in pairs on the bar 33 as previously described,the clamping studs 45 serve to limit the inward adjustment of the bars35 to their parallel position as shown in Fig. 3 in full lines. In thismanner, assembly of the screen holder 46 in position between the bars 33is facilitated.

In Fig. 8, a modified form of stencil screen holder designed forapplying designs of an elongated form to the tapered or shoulderportions of long neck bottles is shown. The holder 43 is generally ofarcuate shape. the ends thereof beingprovided with straight edges 56which are inclined with respect to each other. The frame 49 is attachedto the supporting arms 38 by means of the plates 41 as shown in Fig. 8and in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the upper surface of the horizontal portions 29of the carrier arm 26 has secured thereto a continuous circular ring 5|,an arcuate portion of which is seated in a groove 52 in said arm and issecured therein against circumferential shifting by a screw 53. The axisof the ring 5| coincides with the axis of the hub 30 and the ring is ofsufficient diameter to place the forward portion thereof withinconvenient reach of the operator who, by manually engaging the same, mayoscillate the entire screen assembly about the axis of the pin 25. Apair of limit stops 54 are circumferentially adjustable on the ring 5|.These stops project upwardly from the ring above the lower level of thearm 22 of the yoke member I! and are adapted to abut against this arm oneither side thereof in the limiting positions of the stencil screenassembly. Thus the amplitude of the oscillation of the screen assemblymay be varied.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the squeegee assembly l6 consists of a yoke 55having rearwardly diverging arms 56, the outer ends of which carryintegrally formed, axially aligned sleeves 51 through which therock-shaft |3 extends. The sleeves are positioned on the shaft |3outside of the sleeves 26 of the yoke l6 and the entire yoke 55 iscentered upon the shaft |3 by means of collars 58. The yoke 55 isprovided with a forwardly extending arm 59 which terminates in a head(Fig. 4) having a vertically extending dovetail groove 6| formed in thefront face thereof.

A squeegee supporting member 62, best illustrated in Fig. 4, is providedwith a vertically extending dovetail 63 which cooperates with the groove6| in permitting vertical adjustment of the member 62 on the head 60. Aseries of set screws 64 permit anchoring of the member 62 in any desiredadjusted position. In order to facilitate such vertical adjustment, anadjusting screw 65 carried by the member 62 is threaded into the head insuch a manner that turning movement of the same in one direction or theother will cause the member 62 to be raised or lowered.

The lower end of the member 62 is provided with a foot 66 having a pairof slots 61 extending therethrough and to the lower surface of which anelongated squeegee holder 68 is adjustably clamped by means of capscrews 63 which pass through the slots 61 and are selectively receivedin alternate apertures of an aligned series of threaded holes 13provided in the holder 56.

The squeegee holder 63 is provided with a longitudinal groove 1| (Figs.4 and 5) between the walls of which a longitudinally adjustable link 12is supported by means of a pin 13 selectively receivable in a series ofaligned apertures 14. The lower end of the link 12 is bifurcated and asqueegee blade 15 is pivoted thereto for limited rocking movementbetween the furcations of the link 12.

The stencil screen S is normally supported in the machine in asubstantially horizontal'position the exact location of which may bedetermined by means of a pair of adjustable limit stops 16 (Figs. 1, 3and 4) provided on a cross-beam 11 the ends of which are supportedbetween the standards l2. These limit stops 16 cooperate with abutments10 formed on the underneath side of the yoke I0.

In order to initially adjust the squeegee blade II to the stencil screen8 and to obtain the proper degree of pressure thereon, an adjustingscrew 10 (Figs. 3 and 4) passing through the arm II of the yoke",engages the arm 22 of the yoke I 0. The arm 50 of the yoke 55 ismovable upwardly about the axis of the shaft I8 independently of the arm22 of the yoke I 0. Thus the squeegee holder 05 may be manually liftedby the operator to cause the squeegee blade I! to clear the screen 8. Inorder to return the arm 59 to its normal screen-engaging position, acoil spring 00, centered upon a pin II carried by the arm 22 and passingthrough the arm 59 bears against the arm 50 at one end thereof andagainst a wing nut 82 at the other end thereof. Adjustment of the wingnut 82 will lessen or increase the pressure applied by the squeegeeblade I5 upon the screen 8.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, a series of counterweights 02 suspendedfrom a short arm 04 'formedon one of the sleeves 51 provides acounterbaianee for the entire stencil screen assembly I 5. A treadlemechanism 81 which projects forwardly of the machine adjacent the bottomthereof in a convenient position for the operator of the machine,operates through a pair of chains 88 attached to the short arm 84 and toa short arm 00 formed on the other sleeve 51 toswing the two assembliesI5 and I6 upwardly about the axis of the rock-shaft I3 when depressed bythe foot of the operator.

The article supporting chuck assembly I1 (Fig. 4) includes a casting 90suitably secured as at 9| to the forward edge of the table I0 forvertical adjustment thereon. An integral attachment plate 02 projectsforwardly from the casting 90 and a chuck supporting bar 93 isadjustably clamped to the plate 02 for angular or longitudinal axialadjustment in the apparatus.

The chuck supporting bar 93, or carrier, is shown as occupying aninclined position in the apparatus with the upper portion thereofoverlying the forward portion of the table I0 and positioned beneath thescreen S. A series or row of equally spaced bores 94 extendperpendicularly through the bar 93 and are adapted to selectivelyreceive therein the lower end of a chuck supporting stem 95 which isanchored in any desired adjusted position by means of a set screw 90which is selectively received in threaded apertures 01 that communicatewith the bores 94. The stem 95 carries at its upper end a chuck bearing98 in which a shallow cup-like article supporting chuck 09 is rotatablyjournalled. A yoke supporting stem I00 provided with a yoke IOI at itsupper end has its lower end selectively received in the bores 94. A pairof rollers I02 rotatably Journalled on short stems I03 are adjustablymounted on the yoke IN by means of a plurality of transverse bores I04provided in the yoke and in which the stems are selectively receivable.The stems are anchored in position by means of set screws I05.

The article B to be decorated is in the present instance in the form ofa .bottle having a relatively large base portion I06 adapted to besupported on the base chuck 99 and provided with a relatively long neckportion I01. The neck portion of the bottle is supported upon therollers I02 which are properly adjusted for this purpose.

The bottle B includes a tapered or shoulder portion I08 providing afrusto-conical surface to which the decoration is applied. When thebottle B is in operative positionin the apparatus for decoration of itsfrusto-conical surface, the screen 8 occupies a horizontal position andis tangent to the surface. 'Ihe parts of the apparatus are arranged sothat an extension of the vertical axis of the pivot pin 2| intersectsthe-axis of rotation of the bottle at or very near the apex of the coneof which the portion of the bottle is a frustum.

The underneath surface of the screen 8 is brought to bear on theshoulder of the bottle by adjustment of the limit stops 11 and by makingthe proper selection of apertures 08 for'attachment of the T-shapedsupport 33, 34. to the foot 32. When the screen 8 is properly positionedwith respect to the bottle B, the neck portion of the bottle projectsupwardly above the level of the screen and rearwardly thereof. Becauseof the vertical alignment of the axis of rotation of the screen assemblyI 5 with the apex of the cone of which the portion of the bottle to bedecorated is a i'rustum, the neck portion I01 will not restrict orobstruct oscillation of the screen assembly during the decoratingoperation.

The squeegee blade I5 is held during the decorating operation directlyover the line of contact between the stencil screen S and thefrustoconical surface being decorated in such a manner that proper depthof contact together with the proper degree of pressure is obtainedbetween the squeegeeand screen. In attaining such correct positioning ofthe blade I5, proper selection of the apertures 10 for longitudinaladjustment of the squeegee holder, and proper selection of the apertures14 for longitudinal adjustment of the squeegee blade is first made.Subsequently, proper elevation of the blade and correct application ofpressure is eilected by manipulation of the adjusting screw 19 and wingnut 82 respectively. v

The actual stenciling operation is made in the usual manner by theapplication of a suitable colored vitreous enamel preparation or paintto the upper surface of -the screen and by moving the screen from oneextreme position to the other as determined by the limit stops 54.During such oscillation of the screen, the stationary squeegee blade 15forces coloring matter through the pervious portions of the screen andonto the surface of the bottle. The bottle, being rotatably supportedby'the base chuck 99 and rollers I02, is caused to rotate by virtue ofits tractional engagement with the stencil screen S during the movementof the latter.

Upon completion of the stenciling operation, and prior to engagement of.either limit stop 54, with the arm 22, the operator, by manuallyengaging the squeegee holder 68 is enabled to raise the squeegeeassembly with the aid of the counterweights 83 and 85 momentarilyagainst the action of the spring 80 to permit the squeegee blade I5 toclear the screen 8 and enamel preparation thereon sufllcicntly to permitthe enamel to pass under the blade 15 and occupy a position ahead of thesqueegee for proper application of the enamel to the next succeedingbottle to be decorated.

Upon depression of the treadle mechanism 81 by the operator, thesqueegee and stencil screen assemblies I8 and I5 respectively are swungupwardly about the rock-shaft I3 to ailord sufllcient clearance forremoval of the bottle B'from the chuck assembly I! and for substitutionof the next succeeding bottle to be decorated.

Release of pressure upon the treadle mechanism 81 by the operator causeslowering of the two assemblies l5 and 18 into operative decoratingposition.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for stenciling an article having a frusto-conicalsurface, a fiat stencil screen mounted for oscillation about an axisperpendicular to the plane of said screen, a stationary squeegee incontact therewith, means for positioning an article against said screenwith its frusto-conical surface in contact therewith, means operableindependently of said squeegee for adjusting the position of said screenwith respect to said axis to lengthen or shorten the radius of curvatureof the same, and means for adjusting the position of said axis to varythe position of said screen along the line of contact between saidsurface and screen.

2. In an apparatus for stenciling articles having frusto-conicalsurfaces of different angularity, means for supporting an article sothat it is free to rotate about the axis of its respective surface, aflat horizontally disposed stencil screen, means for adjusting saidsupporting means to bring the frusto-conical surface of said articleinto tangential contact with said screen, a squee gee, means for holdingsaid squeegee in contact with said screen along the line of contactbetween said screen and surface, and means for adjusting said holdingmeans to vary the depth of contact between said screen and squeegee.

3. In an apparatus for stenciling articles having frusto-conicalsurfaces of different angularity, means for supporting an article sothat it is free to rotate about the axis of its respective surface, aflat horizontally disposed stencil screen, means for adjusting saidsupporting means to bring the frusto-conical surface of said articleinto tangential contact with said screen, a squeegee, means for holdingsaid squeege in contact with said' screen along the line of contactbetween said screen and said surface, means for adjusting said holdingmeans to shift said squeegee along said line of contact, and additionalmeans for adjusting said holding means to vary the depth of contact ofsaid squeegee and screen.

4. A machine for decorating the surface of an article comprising incombination, means for holding the article so that it is free to rotateabout an axis, means for adjusting the angulafrity and elevation of saidholding means, a screen frame, a flat screen carried thereby, meansforoscillating said frame about an axis with the screen moving in itsown plane in tractional rolling engagement with said surface, and meansfor applying decorating material through the screen to said surface.

5. A machine for decorating bottles having relatively long neck portionsand adjoining frusto-conical surfaces of comparatively large an-'gularity comprising in combination, adjustable means for supporting abottle so that it is free to rotate about the axis of its frusto-conicalsurface, a flat stencil. screen having one edge thereof curved, meansfor adijustably positioning said screen in tractional tangential contactwith said frusto-conical surface with the neck portion projecting abovethe level of the screen in close proximity to said curved edge, andmeans for applying a decorating material through said screen to saidsurface.

6. An apparatus for decorating the frustoconical surfaces of bottles andlike articles comprising a support, a horizontal rock-shaft carried bysaid support. a stencil screen assembly mounted for tilting movement onsaid rock-shaft, a stencil screen carried by said assembly and normallyoccupying a horizontal position in the apparatus, means for oscillatingsaid stencil screen in said assembly in its own plane, means forsupporting a bottle so that it is free to rotate about the axis of itsfrusto-conical surface with said surface in tangential rolling linecontact with said stencil screen, a squeegee assembly mounted fortilting movement on said rock-shaft independently of said stencil screenassembly and a squeegee carried by said squeegee assembly and normallyoccupying a position in contact with said stencil screen.

7. An apparatus for decorating the frustoconical surfaces of bottles andlike articles comprising a support, a horizontal rock-shaft carried bysaid support, a stencil screen assembly mounted for tilting movement onsaid rock-shaft, a stencil screen carried by said assembly and normallyoccupying a. horizontal position in the apparatus, means for oscillatingsaid stencil screen in said assembly in its own plane, means forsupporting a bottle so that it is free to rotate about the axis of itsfrusto-conical surface with said surface in tangential rolling linecontact with said stencil screen, a squeegee assembly mounted fortilting movement on said rock-shaft independently of said stencil screenassembly, a squeegee carried by said squeegee assembly and normallyoccupying a position in contact with said stencil screen and meansnormally urging said assemblies toward each other to establish a degreeof pressure between said squeegee and stencil screen.

8. An apparatus for decorating the frustoconical surfaces of bottles andlike articles comprising a support, a horizontal rock-shaft carried bysaid support, a stencil screen assembly mounted for tilting movement onsaid rock-shaft, a stencil screen carried by said assembly and normallyoccupying a horizontal position in the apparatus, means for oscillatingsaid stencil screen in said assembly in its own plane, means forsupporting a bottle so that it is free to rotate about the axis of itsfrusto-conical surface with said surface in tangential rolling linecontact with said stencil screen, a squeegee asembly mounted for tiltingmovement on said rock-shaft independently of said stencil screenassembly, a squeegee carried by said squeegee asembly and normallyoccupying a position in contact with said stencil screen and means foradjusting the angular position of said assemblies with respect to eachother to vary the depth of contact between said squeegee and stencilscreen.

9. An apparatus for decorating the frusto-conical surfaces of bottlesand like articles comprising a support, a horizontal rock-shaft carriedby said support, a stencil screen assembly mounted for tilting movementon said rock-shaft, a stencil screen carried by said assembly andnormally occupying a horizontal position in the apparatus,

means for oscillating said stencil screen in said assembly in its ownplane, means for supporting a bottle so that it is free to rotate aboutthe axis of its frusto-conical surface with said surface in tangentialrolling line contact with said stencil screen, a squeegee assemblymounted for tilting movement on said rock-shaft independently of saidstencil screen assembly. a squeegee carried by said squeegee assemblyand normally occupying a position in contact with said stencil screen,means normally urging said assemblies toward each other to establish adegree of pressure hescreen.

tween said squeegee and stencil screen, and means for adjusting theangular position of said assemblies with respect to each other to varythe depth of contact between said squeegee and stencil 10. An apparatusfor decorating the frustoconical surfaces of bottles and like articlescomprising a support, a horizontal rock-shaft carried by said support, astencil screen assembly mounted for tilting movement on said rock-shaft,a stencil screen carried by said assembly and normally occupying ahorizontal position in the apparatus,

means for oscillating said stencil screen in said assembly in its ownplane, means for supporting a bottle so that it is free to rotate aboutthe axis of its frusto-conical surface with said surface in tangentialrolling line contact with said stencil screen, a squeegee assemblymounted for tilting movement on said rock-shaft independently of saidstencil screen, assembly, a squeegee carried by said squeegee assemblyand normally occupying a position in contact with said stencil screenand means for independently adjusting the elevation of said squeegee insaid squeegee assembly.

11. An apparatus for decorating the frustoconical surfaces of bottlesand like articles comprising a support, a horizontal rock-shaft carriedby said support, a stencil screen assembly mounted for tilting movementon said rock-shaft, a stencil screen carried by said assemblyandnormally occupying a horizontal position in the apparatus, means foroscillating said stencil screen in said assembly in its own plane, meansfor supporting a bottle so that it is free to rotate about the axis ofits frusto-conical surface with said surface in tangential rolling linecontact with said stencil screen, a squeegee assembly mounted fortilting movement on said rock-shaft independently of said stencil screenassembly, a squeegee carried by said squeegee assembly and normallyoccupying a position in contact with said stencil screen and means forindependently adjusting the axis of oscillation of said stencil screenin said stencil screen assembly toward and away from said rock-shaft.

12. An apparatus for decorating the frusto-conical surfaces of bottlesand like articles comprising a support, a horizontal rock-shaft carriedby Said support, astencil screen assembly mounted for tilting movementon said rock-shaft, a stencil screen carried by said assembly andnormally occupying a horizontal position inthe apparatus, means foroscillating said stencil screen in said assembly in its own plane, meansfor supporting a bottle so that it is free to rotate about the axis ofits frusto-conical surface with said surface in tangential rolling linecontactwith said stencil screen, a. squeegee assembly mounted fortilting movement on said rock-shaft independently of said stencil screenassembly, a squeegee carried by said squeegee assembly and normallyoccupying a position in contact with said stencil screen and means forindependently adjusting the position of said squeegee in said squeegeeassembly toward and away from said rock-shaft.

13. An apparatus for decorating the frustoconical surfaces of bottlesand like articles comprising asupport, a horizontal rock-shaft carriedby said support, a stencil screen assembly mounted for tilting movementon said rock-shaft, a stencil screen carried by'said assembly andnormally occupying a horizontal position in the apparatus, means foroscillating said stencil screen in said assembly in its own plane, meansfor supporting a bottle so that it is free to rotate about the axis ofits i'rusto-conical surface with said surface in tangential rolling linecontact with said stencil screen, a q eegee assembly mounted for tiltingmovement on said rock-shaft independently of said stencil screenassembly, a squeegee carried by said squeegee assembly and normallyoccupying a position in contact with said stencil screen and means forindependently adjusting the position of said stencil screen in saidstencil screen assembly toward and away from said rock- 'rnnonona a.snow.

